Drier



A. P. D.IBELANGER.

DRIER.

FILED JAN. 24.- 1921.

6 SHEETS-SHEET I a w a w 2 www a Adi rms- Feb. 27; 1923. I 1,446,869. A. P. D. BELANGER.

DRIER.

FILED JAN. 24, I92!- 6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Feb. '27, 1923. 1,446,869

. A. P. D. BELANGER.

DRIER.

I FILED JAN. 24, 1921- 6 SHEETS-SHET 3.

Feb. 27, 1923.

A. P. D. BELANGER. I

' DRiER.

FILED JAN. 24, I92l.

s SHEETS-SHEET 4 nil/WWW Feb. 27, 1923.

'A. P. n. BELANGER.

DRIER.

FILED 1AN.24, 1921.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5- Feb. 27, 1923.

A. P. D. BELANGER.

DRIER. v

FILED JAN. 24,1921- 6 SHEETS-SHEET s.

. Patented Feb- 27,I 1923.

anaem in. BELAiiGER, for cameo, ILLiNfJis. I

DRIER.

Application filed January 1921. Serial No. 439*,648L I Y '0 all om it may concern:

' Be it known that I, ALBERT P. D. BELAN- one, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of -Illinois,- have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Driers, of which the following is a specification. I

This invention relates to drier-s and ventila'ting apparatus.

y The invention has. for one of its objects to provide an improved method of and ap-' paratus for drying or. otherwise treating substances and articles which will dry or otherwise treat the articles with a minimum expenditure of energy and without inju'r ing or impairing the value of thesu'bstances dried.

A further object of the invention is to provide apparatus of this "character constructed of a plurality of units so that the size and capacity thereof may be varied to suit requirements.

A pfurther object is, toprovide apparatus inwhioh the loading'and unloading of the apparatus may be carried on simultaneously .while the apparatus 'is .in operation-and without resulting in confusion'or interference betweenlhese operations.

A still further object is to provide an improved and efficient-ventilating device for changing the air in a chamberor other eng closure either to eliect drying or ventilation or both.

I The invention consists in the novel constructions, combinations andmethods tobe hereinafter described and cla-imedfor carrying out the abo've'stateolobjects and such other objects as will appear from. the rot lowing description. I

The invention is illustrated 'in certain prei'erred, embodiments in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure l'is a sectional perspective of a multiple unit apparatus. 7 p

Figure 2 is .anenl'arged vertical, trans verse section of the upper portionthereof.

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical section of the electrical 'condu'ctorszand collectors.

Figure4is a' detailfvi'ew showing oneof the stops for reversing the travel of the carrier.

Figure is a front elevation of ,the'ap; paratus shown inpFigure 1. Q t

Figure 6 is a. perspective view, somewhat diagrammatic in term; of the electrical circuit and electric em and heating"apparatus. v

. Figure 7 is a. longitudinal vertical section through the upper portion of the apparatus and throughythe ventilatingapparatus-1 I Figure 8 1s a fragmentary planview of the apparatus;withthe top thereof removed showing particularly the ventilating an and traveling carrier. 3

Figure 9 1s amodified formof: apparatus.

. Figure 10. is "another form of my for.

holding small articles. I

Figure 11 we perspective air, heating construction parts in the several figures of the drawings.

p I view of apo'r- U011 of the apparatus showing modified My improved. apparatus comprises a plurality of compartments placed end to end and preferably detachablyjsecured to,- gether. In the construction shown, one coin: partment comprises:superposediunits l1 and 12in position on a base let and with a. top

section 13, the other compartment show-n comprising superposed units l 5' and 16. The base-sections 14:; are shown iormed incompartment, while in 5 a single top section 13 is shown extending over the two compartments. In the drawings the front,

back-and'end sections areindicated, respechingedalong theirfiipperedgesat 22. *The I '90 end pieces l 9 consist" ofside in einbers''23 tegrally with the superposed units of each and cross members '24. 'E ach, end pie cefis of substantially the height of a unitand the side finember's 23 thereof are notched at 25. (see Fig. 7 :so. as toafit' over the rib 26 mr'the piece just below. The units are, se-

cured togetherbyfscrews 27 brother fsui t 'ableffastenings which pass through ,the l fro'nti'and back sectionsand into the cr ss,

members -24 This construction elements to secure "adjacent compartments 1 togetheri Preferably the upper and loi'ver edges of the sections 17, 1 8, etc-,are "providedivith tongue and grooves; 28 and 29 waste-p150- vide a tight jo'int'. panel 30 is preferabl y providedin each of the end pieces so :as

to separate the compartments; Each" cross member 24; is 'proyidecl.-with grooves 31 on placed within thej riousufnits.

The mmersed si and units may-he ,vafied to meetflrefq uirements. Itfisf obvio'usfthatthe ,siye of-the opposite sides thereof for sup er-tin trays I h :C mPa iB apparatus maybe increased or diminished whenever desired. it is clear also that numerous changes in the manner of coni struction of the units and of securing them together may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

For the purposes hereinafter pointed out, a longitudinal passage 82 is provided vex- .tending throughout the length of the appa- 1O ratus, such longitudinal passage in the 'construction shown being at thetop of the apparatus. Rails 33 and 342 are provided along the frontv and the back of the passage 32, re spectively, and a rack is provided extending longitudinally a short distance above the rail 8 1.

A travelling vcarrier36 (see Fig. 2) pro vided with flanged wheels'or rollers 37 and carrying therein an electric fan '38 is adapted to move along the rails and 3a. The carrier is of a box like'construction, as shown more clearly in Figs. 2,7 and 8 but the construction thereof may be varied considerably electric heaters are supplied with electric,

in different types of apparatus. The fan 38 is provided with fan blades 39 rotating in a horizontal plane and adapted to direct a stream of air downwardly through thecompartment. F or certain purposes the carrier 36 also carries a plurality of electric heaters l0 disposed on opposite sides of the fan. and

.in spaces: provided therefor in the carrier,

as shown in Fig. 2. The fan motor and the current from electric wires 41, 42, 4-3 and 4:4; which are supported within the apparatus in the upper sections thereof, as shown more clearly in Figs. 1 and 2. Preferably,- asbestos lining 45 or other suitable insulation is provided in thecasing adjacent the wires substances and are connected by wires 50 and Site the fan motor. Similarly collectors 52 and 53 receive current from wires 48' and lt and conduct the'same to the electric heaters.

I: The heaters are connected to the trolleys or collectors by wires 5-i-and The heaters may be placed either in series or parallel depending on conditions. and thevoltage of ,the current supplied. They are lllustrated connected in parallel.

The carrier 86 is propelled along its tracks by power derived from the fan motor through reduction gearing. This gearing which maybe of any suitable design sufiicient to obtaina proper reduction-consists of a worm 56 see Fig. 8) on the fan motor shaft meshing with the worm gear 57 arranged at right angles thereto. The shaft of the worm gear 57 is provided with a worm which in turn meshes with a Worm gear gear 59. The shaft 60 of the worm gear 59 and a shaft 61 are arranged in alignment and so connected as to permit a slight longitudinal movement of the shaft 61. F or this purpose the shaft 61 is forked, as shown at 62, and the shaft 61 is provided with a fiat portion 63 which extends within the fork62 so as to turn the shaft 61. z The shaft 61 is provided with two opposed bevel gears'o i and 65. These gears are spaced apart and are adapted to be meshed alternatively with the bevel. gear 66. .The shaft of the bevel gear 66 is provided at its opposite end with another bevel gear 67 which meshes with a bevel gear'68 supported on the shaft 69. The

Shaft 69' is Provided with a spur gear 70 meshing with another spur gear 71 sup ported on a shaft 72. The shaft 72 is provided with a pinion 73which meshes with the rack whereby upon the rotation of the pinion 73through the train of gearing the carrle'r is moved along the passage 32,

For the purpose of reversing the direction of travel of the carrier without reversing the rotation of the fan, the bevel gears 6a and 65 are adapted to be meshed alterna tively with the bevel gear 66. In order to accomplish this the shaft 61 is adapted to be moved back and forth by the lever 74 which is forked at 75 so as to engage" between collars on the shaft 61. The lever 74; is pivoted at 76 and is'oscillated at its other end by a bell crank 77 rocking in a vertical plane, (see Figs. 7 and 8.) The bell. crank 77 is pivoted at 78 and arranged so that one arm 79 extends Substantiallyvertically and f i the other arm horizontally. The vertical arm 7 9- is forked and engages the end of the lever 74, as shown in Fig. 8,.so as to rock the same. The horizontal arm 80 of the bell crank 77 is oscillated up and down by the forked arm 81 of a bell crank 82; This bell crank is also pivoted so as to rock in a vertical plane but is arranged so that its pivot is at right angles to that of thebell in mesh with the gea r'66V Another arm 87 similar to the arm 85, pivoted at 88 to the carrier and connected by the rod 89 to the arm 85 so as to move synchronously therewith, is provided at the opposite side of the" fan 38'for throwing the bell-crank 82' in the reverse direction as hereinafter described.

Stop pins or reversing pins 90 are provided at the ends of each of the compart mem as'islbest shown in Fig. '8. These pins are arrang edso that they may be with drawn" a short'distance, as shown in Fig.4.

A pin 91' and slot 92 are provided so as to hold the pin 90' eitlier in its innermost or in its 'u ithtli'avvn position. Whenth'ef pin is, in its innermost position it is" adapted, to

be engaged by the arms 85 01*?87 as the car rier 36 moves along the passage 32, forv throwing the bell-crank 82 alternately in op' "posite directions for causing the reversal 'thedirection of travel of the carrier ,36.

Accordingly by controlling the positions-of the pins 90 the 'trarel of thef carrierfback and forth in the -apparatus may be limited to one or any number of compartmentssliort or the entire number, or ,"by,moving out-K Wardly' all of the pins except-the extreme ones, the carrier will travel back and forth throughout the entire apparatus.

I Eacl1 compartment/is provided with air 'inlets 93 in the upper portion thereof and air out-lets 9a in the lower portion. These air openings are normally closedby hinged valves 95 and 96. The, upper valves 95 are provided with longitudinal ribs 9? which are rounded or beveled at both ends, as shown at 98. hen "the carrier 36" enters a compartment vertical rollers 99 mounted on the carrier 36'strike' the beveled portions 98 of the ribs and gradually open the up;-

per valves and hold them open as lo g s the carrier and the fan are in the compart-v Wood, fiber, metal or even concrete. Whi'le I have shown anarrang'ement comprising detachable unit's, itwillbe understood that I do not Wish to limitmyself to'this form except as suclr'forinis hereinafter sp'ec iti- (rally claimed.

The materials or articles to be dried are supportedupon racks 103, so asflto hang freely in thevariOusunits. For the purpose of illustration, I have illustrated a rack comprising a plurality of parallel rods, holding spaghetti orfma'caroni. The lengths of; spaghetti 104] are supported by hanging over the rods which permit them todry-perfectly straight; The racks carrying the ticles to be dried are'introduced into the various unitsthrough the'doors on one side of the apparatus and are'supported. in the grooves 31 in th'efend pieces. The height of the. individual units is made great ei'ioujgh' to accommodate the particular articles tofbel dried when hanging vertically. 'Diflerent materials, such ash des, and other sheet mawvardly by the fan into ,contact" past the yertically hanging articles;

. posed units, it picks up moisture on thelsur *terialsunay be support-ed Fon par mu e larly designed to support them 'inthe proper anner. I

. With: a lack 10s a in position: =i n-i'c'e ailar *the units of a plurality of adjoiningic oma partments, and tivith thegpjins '90 arranged for ensuring the reciprocation jot the .zcari rier 36 back and forth lthrough isuoli 5001;11

partments air is drawn into-jeachlcompart' ment in turn as the carrier ;travels"through such compartment, being drawn in (through; a the upper inlet opening-and 'fdrlven downa'ir passes downwardlythrouglrthe super-* vinesn i f-Asthe j 1 faces of the articlesto'beidried and ear'ries.

such moisture outthrough the lower a ir out lets. The eflectivenessof the air for tak-I ing the moisture is increased in. some in stances by the heating: of tlie F airltlirou h the use of the heaters e0; although essential that. the heaters 40' be utilized.

top and. prefer to employ this arrangement,

'particularly when it is or may be "desired to ,heat the air, it will be unde1st0odthat' any other suitable arrangement mayhe ployed without I departing. from spirit of my invention broadly considered;

" In order to control thetemperature to f Fig. 6) is {placed in the electric jcircuit's'upplying, current to the heatersolthat the cur-v rent supplied to the. heater Imay. con-v *trolled ."Vires 106 and 107 arecon'nec ted v riththe line ivires 43 and i4. The electric i'pow'er is suppliedthrough Wi1es1081 and I 109. A-svzitch 110 is provided to break" the Imain circuit; .In'orderito' control the speed of thec'arrier through the compare;

vmentssoas ,to suit the particularrequire merits-of various materials dried, another rheostat 111 'is placed inthe electriccircuit} I supplying current --to the fan motor. illustratedin Fig. 6-, this rheo'statis 'in'para-llelwith the rheostat and accordingly the "fan; motor and the heaters may be eon-E I trolled independently. i

issoon as'the traveling carrier; andg'fan pass out of one compartment Lthe hinged l valves controlling the air inlets and outle ts are closed and those ofthe succeeding compait nents-fare' opened. Duringv the .t1n 1e' while the. carrier is not-in, a compartment; the moisture in theninterior of the material is given an I opportunity to travel o thef'exposed'suriaces of the materialwhereiit may he evaporated when, the fan again enters y the compartment.

In the construction "illustrate 'd a sin'g'le u fanlis used-, extending acrosstlieleomp'arta menti'from fronflto back. .l'ldof notfjlii t myself to the use ofa single f ,=h ow except 'as'maybe-specifically-cla-imed;I The fan is made. to travel baclr'and forthf prevented by the proper inanipulation ot intermittently through aicompartment for a lengthoftime sufiicient to properly dryer or. racks '15 1 stood.

otherwise treat the materials therein. lVhen the materials in one unit have beenproperly dried or treated they are removed through "he doors onithe side of the apparatus opposse to those through which they were introduced intoathe-unit. This manner loading and iunloading the apparatus prezve nts confusion and interference between the two operations and permits them tof 'be carried on simultaneously. In other ords, a single unit, may he filled with fresh trays soon as the others have been removedpthe loa ding'and unloading being carried on without infany way changingthe traveler operation of thei'anf When it is iiOhflQisil'iQl to employ the entire apparatus. the trai'el oitf the -tan throughone or more oi thecompartments'at either end may be 'fe' stop pins 90, as will be'readily under- Articles such as spaghetti and macaroni ay beIdried perfectly straight in the ap paratus above described. The current of air; passing through the rack-trays does not ,tendto bend the-free ends and cause the articlest'o dry in an irregular shape. When the sticks of spaghetti or macaroni are not 1 straight the value thereof is very much decreased andthey cannot be made u'p-into package form;v Only perfectly, straight pieces-of spaghetti can be so packed and these'claim the highest prices on the market.

In' Fig. 9 Ihave illustrated a modified form of apparatus Which is particularly adaptedto'dry articles which cannot be hung on racks or which interfere too greatly with thejpassage of air. throughthesame if the ,current of airvtravelsfin avertical direction as in the form of apparatus justi described. In thernodified form of apparatus,-the air traiels horizontally through the apparatus. The traveling carrier 112 isin general the same as that;previously described withz'the exception that the shait of the fan motor supported in a horizontal position. This requires the rollers or WhGQlS" 113 to. be

placed on the side of the machine, as illustr'a-ted. The rack 114 is placed along the bottom of thepapparatus parallel/with the 'rails'liSIbut'otherwise occupies the same position relative'to the travelling carrier,

.as 1 in the aform previously"described. In

other respects the -"apparatusis just the same. The reversing. stops are re-located .so' as to engage thereversing mechanism on the. carrier and the trolley Wires are supported along the top of the apparatus.

- The door. 116 is provided With a longi- 'tu'dinal rib 1117 shaped similarly to, the rib 97 in. the form previously described. This rib 1S engaged by'thecarrie'r as t'enters the through the door 118.v

compartment and opens the door;

posite door 118 is opened simultaneously by mechanism arranged: as follows Thejdoors are provided with arms ll and 120 respec-' tively, which extend above the apparatus.

191 is connected by meansof a flexible coin the trayscar-g For drying ortreating small articlesQtr'ays.

preferably similar to that shoivn inQFig. 10

are preferably employed; These trays consist ofa Wire frame 124eof rectangular shape I having aplurality of cross ires therein. The tray is covered with Wire mesh. .126

so arranged that the bottom thereof is of saw-tooth cross section. The ends 127: are

also coveredwith \viremesln These trays are supported, one aboiiefthe other, as shown 111 F] g. 9 with the valleys and ridges of the trays in line With the stream: of air set up by the fan. The airis thus able tofmore readily evaporate the moisture from the bot tom as Well as the topsof the articles in the trays. y v I The apparatus may be made of any desirable Width and the number of trays on a single layer may be regulated asdesiredfor convenient handling.

InFig. 11 is illustrated another modified form of apparatus, by means or which the electric heaters may be dispensed with. ,In this form a channel shaped conduit 128,, is placed over the airi inlet openings. Ifthe airis drawn in through the upperopenings of the apparatus shown in Fig. l thefconduit is secured over such opening. If, on the otherhand, the ,air is drawn in through the bottom openings, theconduit is placed over such opening. Heated air is supplied to the conduit from any suitable source, although in some instances it is preterable'that cooled air be employed in lieu of heated air, as for drying chocolates and other articles which would be injured by the use-ofvvarm air or even byair at room temperatures; i

It is contemplated also'to' use thefan and traveling carrier merely as a ventilating unit intended to ventilate a chamberjor other enclosure. The travel of the fan over the space insures that all partsthereoflwill be properly ventilated. WVhere air is introduced into a chamber, forthe purpose either of ventilating the same or drying mate} rial therein; it is Well known that the stream or air does not affect all'parts of the space alike. Articles lying dlrectly in. the ncome m stream are, perhaps,over-dried, While.

other articlesnot lying directly in the stream are insufliciently dried] Byp'the use of 'a' cia ted with said fan/for a elingve tilat ngi ut e equaltreatment ofarticles in all parts ofthe e11elosurelis in-J u d- J. I. laim:

1. In; veritilatin aratus the eeiiibinw ti 011 with afcheii ber hevii' gair inlets end air outlets and; closure means fer v said Openpertedjiri said vcha iib er, ically m'evirig said device el t in sg id eheineri, me ns op r t ve y as bciet d, i h said device edeptedtejaet oirthe closure means for said air openings successively for Opening closures for the air inlet-end outlet 15 having gravity closures throughout "the length thereof, of a momiple air chang ng device supported iii said cha nhe fieud adaptedto set up mverhcally traveling stream of air of suhste-utia llythe Width of seid chain-j bel means'f01'1auto ietically'causing said device to travelhack and ferth throughout the length ofsal'dehamber, and means op ei'a tively asseeieted with said device for opening the. closures for the air inlet and Outlet acumen the intake and 'diseherge eifeir.

, 3. A11. air changing deviceeemprising an electrically driven ian, 2i t-mvellng carrier for saidfe n coiitzict devices on said earrierdt'or conveying electrle 'current to the fan motor, mechanism" for propellingSeid ceirier, and a; heating device associated with. said fa r for heating the air passing through ee 'di'anr '4. An airchanglng devicecomprising an,

electrically driven fan, a traveling carrier for said fa-n, contact devices n-said barrier for conveying electric current tQthe' fan motor, mechanism for propelliugsaid car,- rier,": md*anelectrieally heated device assoheating the air passingthi'ough'saidfan.

5, An air changing device comprising an" electrically drivenfen, a traveling "carrier for said fail, Contact-"devices"on said carrier for cpnveying'electric current to the fan motor,- mechanism for} propelling said carrier, and means 'on the} carrier fer heating the air passing through said fan.

6. An air Changing device comprising an ele'etricallydriven' em, titraveling carrier fer said fen, contact devices on said carrier for convey ng electric c1.

rent t0 ti fii'n metom meclianism fer propelling said qar mer a heat ng device aJss001atedw1th sald fighter-heating the airipessingjthroughsaidfan; and means; for varying the temperature,

01? said heatingrdevice. Y

air; changing devicei comprising an electrically driven-. f-an; a traveling earner I forge e1;

I 13015 prepelli eallv ac in eontrolled inlet end outlet'epenings in s; d-

dutl position of said terrier. eid-device for permitting I v d y ng m r mprisi slwpli ra itv through said e'ompztrti'n'e'nts, valve do" trellet l' cvnte tl i es aid ee yr ior v m y lig elG t l l motor,;I1Iiechan1sn fer rier, 3'1 ,eleetr c l yheletd 1 with; said. fall fer heatiri I thmugh' d' fan, and means 01 a temperature of "seithheatirig." devic'jeg H n. veziti t g apparatus, the 'Qn1bin=. :l.; tlOIiWitlT Qcham'her', o'f'aQ ventilati and a traveling carrier for saidca trevel lthrough; I ufieaiis' for, delivering power to sal saidberrier l v wgflieensj foricausin'g sit c re to travel in: the re vers ef (lirie'e threugh's'ajide eiubelixflf 3 n v 9Q Iii ventilating apparatus, the combinetlQllWliill1 liitlilbelffo fzti eti' g j i and a; traveling; carrierf forfsa d wee s 85'- Pert in i e chambe end; adap d; o

'tra vel b jflk" end jforthj thereinmeans ffor eliv ing:pow i o sa -j anmic r trp:

pel'lii gsaidcarrijer z nc plu'rs lity of val e co i pertinents, offs pjiov'id W t Ger -lei and adapted v r n- 1 s v l air inlets and outlets in eechefszu je mpertwents -and means operatedgby said "ear i opening the eiririlet" farid Outlet valves in a give compartment hen' seicl fan enters said cen'martmeht;

' 11-. ID- bj "drier, theeemhinzttion with 2i 'l05 clrvii efchzunbeicomprising 1 a plurzility of compartments saidcompartmerits provided. with valve Lee-3i 'olle-d air iulets'andoutleits of a fenjprovidecLwith" 2;- 0 a rlei; fend adapt;

ed t0 trey l through sziidceliipe t ieiits ur d 11.6

supported to eeiwei successively through the. upper portionsbf 'Said-gcempartmem at? iiilets'eud outlets inf sa-i-d eempirt sa'd fen aclgtpted tedrew-eirthrm lets and 'di-sehai'ge the seine-f eutlets d u 'eaiis fer rprepelli se-id: 12 5v i a: drier; the coi ibi-natienwith drying chamber comprising a, pi l-1r cemp'rtn ientg ofa fail; provided W carrier supperted teitr-a'veli sueeesjsis e 7e11, COKIllJtljftliiQht', 11 5 3 I through the upper portions of said coinpai t ments, air inlets and ;outlets in said compartn ents, said fan adapted tofdraw air 7 through said inlets and d scharge the. same partments, of afan provided with a carrier I and forth through said compartmentsand through said outlets, means for propelling said fan and carrier, and means for automatically reversing the travel of said carrier when the same reaches the ends of said chamber.

14. In a drier, the combination with a drying chamber comprising a plurality of comsupported to travel successively through the upper portions of said compartments, air inlets and outlets in said compartments, said fan adapted to draw air through said inlets.

and discharge the same through said outlets, means for causing said carrier to move back means for automatically reversing the travel "of said carrier in any desired compartment-.1.

I 15. In a drier, the combination with a dry-t ing chamber comprising a plurality of compartments, of a fanprovided with a carrier r supported in said chamber and adapted to travel successively through the upper portions of said compa'rtments, air inlets. and outlets in said. compartments, said fan adapted to draw air through said inlets and discharge the same through said outlets, air heaters associated with saidffan and adapted to heatthe airfdrawn into said 'compartments, and means for propelling said 'ian andcarrier.

I 16. In a drier, the combination with a drying chamber comprising a plurality of compartments, ofa fanxprovided with a car rier supported in said chamber and adapted to travel successively through the upper poi;-

tions of said compartments, upper air inlets anl lower air outlets in said'compart; ments, .an air heater associated with said carrier, said fan adaptedto draw. air in through said upper a r inlet and discharge the same through saidalowe'r ail-outlet, and

means for propelling said fan and carrier. 7

17 In a drier, the combination with a drying chamber comprising a plurality of means "operated by saidcarrier for opening said valves in a given compartment when the fan enters said'coinpartment, said fan being so disposed as to draw in air through said inlets and expel the same through, said outlets, an air heater for heating the incom-- propelling said fan ingair, and meansfor and carrier.

18. In a drier, the combination with a drying chamber comprising a plurality of compartments, of a tan provided with aicarriersuppoiited in chamberand adaph ed'to travel successively"through the upper portions of said compartments, valve co ntrolled air inlets and outlets in the upper and lower 13011310118 of said ;compartment s,f respectively, and o'nboth sides thereoh means operated by said carrier for opening said valves in a given compartment wli'en'the fan enters said compartment, said fan being sodisposed as to draw in air through. said in,- lets andexpel'the same through said'outlets, and air heaters on opposite sides of said fan 19. In a drier, the combination withfa drying chamber comprising a plurality ott compartments, of an electrically driven tan chamber and adapted-to travel successively through the upper portio'ns'of S'ELIClCOI II- partnieiits, and mechan sm operated bysaid fan for propelling said carrier, valve controlled air inlets and outlets n the upper and 7 lower portions of said compartments, rev spectively, means operated by saidcarrier ior open ng said valves in'a given compartment when the fan enters said compartment,

and in the path ofthe incoming airfor heating said air. I

provided with a carrier 'supportedzin said i said fan being so disposedfas to draw in'air through said inlets and expel the same through said outlets, an electric heateri or heating the incoming air, electrical'-'conduc-; I

tors in said'compartinents, and electrical. col- I lectors on said carrier and contacting with I said conductors for carrying electric current to said fan and heater. I a g 20.. I Ina drier, the combination with adry ing chamber comprisingla plurality of compartments, ofan electrically driven fangpro v ded w th a cai'rieii'supported in said chain her and adap-t ed to travel successively through the upper portionsof said'compartinents, and mech anism operated by said fan for propelling saidcarrier, valve controlled;

air inlets and outlets in the upper and lower portions of said compartments, respectively,

means operated by said (carrier: for opening" sa idvalves in agiven'co npartment when the :tan enters said compartment, said fan being so disposed as to draw in air throughsaid inlets and expel the same through said out-- lets, electric heaters on opposite sides of said fan in the path of the incoming air for heat-.-

ing said :air, electrical conductors in said compartments, and electrical collectors on 12'0" saidcarrier and contacting withsaid conductors-for carrying electric current to said fan and heater. I I a 21. In a drier, the combination with drying chamber comprising a plurali-tyof compartments,- of an electrically driven fan provided witha carrier supported in said chamber andadapted to travel successively through the upperportions of said 'compartmerits, mechanism operated "by said fan for propelling saidicarr envalve controlled air meta-see.-

saidvalves in a given com 3artment fwhen the fan enters said compartment,-sa1d fan being so; disposed as to draw in a r through saidinlets and expel thesame, through said outlets, an electric heater for heating the,

incoming air, electrical conductors in said compartments, electrical collectors on said carrier and contacting with: said conductors for.carryingelectric current to said fan and;

heater, and means for independently controlhng. the current supplied to said fan; and

22. Ina drier,- the combination with a dryingchambencompri'sing a. plurality o1.

compartments, oi a tan,.providedwitha. car rier supported in saidchamber and adapted to travel successively through. the. upper portions of said compartments, .up pe r .air inlets and lower air outlets in said compartinents, an air heater associated with said carrier, saidtan adapted to, drawair through said upper. inlets andexpel. the.

same through said lower outlets andniea-ns v for heating the incoming, air.

23. In a drier, the combination with a drying. chamber comprising a plurality of compartments, ofa fan provided Wlthjfi carrier supported in'said chamherand adapted to travel successively through the upper. portions ofsaid compartments, upperair inlets and lower air outlets in said compartments, an air heater associated withsaid, carrier. said fanadapted to draw air through said upper inlets and expel the same through said lower outlet-s and means vtor heated air to said. fan.

24. Apparatus of the class describedcom prising inconibination a plurality of coinpartments .d'etachably secured together and having in their upper. portions. :1 connnunicating passage, andmeans in said passage for permitting a, device to travel through said compartments. i

'25. Apparatus of the class described;com-

' prising in combination a plurality of co nv partments detachably. secured together, and

having acommunicating passage. each coni- Ipartment having valve cont-rolled air inlets and outlets-therein, and :rneans in saidpas sage for permitting. a device. to travel through said compartments. i

26. Apparatusot-t-he class described coinprising in, combination a,.plura1ity'of c partmentsv detachably securedtogethei mull having-a conilnunicatingip ssage-e vchpom partmenthaving valve controlled a inlet-s and outlets-,intheir upper, and'lowv tions. respectively, andmeans in sai'dpa sage. for permitting device.- to tray 1' through said compartments;

2?." Apparatus. of the class described I com T prising in combinat on a plural ty of; com,"

partinents detachably. secured together and;

supplying,

e por-v partments detachablysecuredtogether and I having-a communicating. passage, each co nv partment having.valve controlled air inlets and outlets in their upperv and lower p.or-' tions respectively, andineans forpermitting a movingairchanging;deviceto travel from v 1 one compartment to theother, I

28. Apparatus of the cl-ass described com} H prising in combination [a plurality of v com;

having a communicating-passage,each com.- partment having}. air, inlets '1 and outle valves forsaidinlets an'doutlejts and mechar nisn connecting;these-me. hereby theinl ts and outletsof a given compartmentm. operated simultaneouslyu p p "29. Apparatusofjthe class described comprising in combination a plurality of cornp artments detachablv secured together, e a cl i compartment comprising, plurality of Sli perposedunitsopen at the top and bottom, said-compartments havingva communicating passage. v 1

3,0.-Apparatusof*th e class ClBfiGllbQClGOln prising. in combination plurality of; C0111: '90 partments detachablgv secured together, each comp artment comprising. a plurality lo t; su;

meansi for permitting...as" carrier to. travel W therein. 1 i i 1 31 Apparatus o fthe class described comprising in'combination apluralitv of; compartments ,detachably secured together, ea ch compartment comprising a plurality of *su- P rpo ed un t p t; h .t r nd ba n and having. means therein; for supponting. article s; tobet'reated, and havingdoors in their. sides. e i 2 Apparat s li o a i es ibed om-a prising in combination a pluralitypf compartments detachabl-ysecured together, each compartment comprising a plurality of; superposed-unitsopen at the top and bottom, n v ng means h r n. o S ppo in articles to be treated, and having doors in] their oppositesidese p v 3.3, Apparatus of the-class described com-1 prising. in 1 combination; aplur-alitvofi inde-' pendent. compartments 1 ,detacha-bjly secured together andhaving a cornugmnicating pas sage, means. in said passage for permitting.

device tetra-val through said; com-parts merits, each com-partn'ient comprisin a .plurality-of'superposed unit-sopen at th rftops and bet. dad 'i ee ea nt doors n opposite 5s desandhavingmeans he' e rifm:. upportia r lea the class .desc:cihedco n,- 1 k, ,l H 3l!.11 lJY Oflllllpendent.compart lQJtltS; detaehab y-sec. L together and-hav ig a communicating pa sage, meansin saidwpassage for perinittin an ethrough a dlmmnpa iso Fri t ments, each compartment com-prising'a plurality oit superposed units open attheir tops and bottoms, provided with transparent doors on opposite sides and having guide ways therein tor supportingitra'ys. I l 35. In a drier,in comb'nation with a drying] chamber comprising a pluralityqof compartments, each compartment having doors in the sides thereof and providedivith means therein for suojortim era s of a tan aro l a: 7

vided With a carrier and adapted to travel successively through said compartments, valve controlled air inlets and out-lets in each ot'said compartn'ients andmeans operated by said carrier for opening the air inlet and outlet valves in given compartmei it when said tan enters said compartment.

36. Drymg apparatus comprising in combination a plurality 0t compartments placed end to end. and having a comn'iunicating pas sage therethrough, each compartment com-.

prising a'plurality oi superposed units open at their tops and bottoms and havlng end pieces therein adapted to telescope into the.

corresponding units otadjacent compart-' ments,' said. compartments being detachably secured together by tfastenings engaging with said. end pieces.

3'7 Drying apparatus comprising incombination a plurality of compartments placed I end to end and having a communicating passage therethrough, each compartment comprising a plurality of superposed units open at their tops and bot/tome and atop and bottom section, said sections provided with ven- 39. Drying apparatus comprisinga'chamber made up of a series of separate compart ments and means for forcing a stream of air through the several compartments in turn. I

40. Drying apparatus comprising a chamber made up of a series of separate coinparh.

ments, and automotically controlled means acting upon the'several compartments suc cessively at predetermined intervals for forcing a stream of air through each conipartment in turn. I p

I 4&1, Drying apparatus comprising a chamber made up of a series of separate compartments with apassage Way opening into the several compartment-s, a carrier movable along said passage Way an air changing device mounted on said carrier, and means for moving said carrier alongsaid passage Way for forcing a stream of air through the several compartments in succession.

' 4-2. Drying apparatus comprising a chamher made up of a series otsepara-te coin partments with a passage way opening into the several compartmentaa carrier movable along said passage Way; an air changing do vice mounted on s'aid carrier,and automatically acting means for moving said carrier back and forth'al ong said passage Way at a regular rate for forcing a stream of air through the several compartments in suecession at predetermined intervals.

4:3. Drying apparatus comprising a compertinent having ,an outlet port, closure means for SH/1d port, means acting intermlt tently in said compartment fortoroing astream of air throue'h' the com )artment and means acting independently of the stream'of air but in similarlytimed relation for opening said closure means for the escape of the air from said chamber.

.l-l. Drying apparatus comprising ase'ries oit' compartments each having an outlet port, closure means for said ports means acting successively and intermittently in the sev oral compartments for forcing a stream of air through the compartments; and means for opening the closure means of each compartment 1n successlon'as the stream of air is established 1n such compartment.

l5. Drying apparatus comprising a compartment having inlet and outlet ports at opposite points, closure means for said ports.

' means acting intermittently insaidbomparh ments for forcing'a stream of air through each compartment in turn from said inlet port to said outlet port, and means acting independently of the stream of airbut" in similarly timed relation for opening said closure means.

46. Drying apparatus comprising a chamber made up of a seriesof separate compartments with a passage way opening into the several compartments, a carrier movable along said passage Way, an. air changing device mounted on said carrier, inlet andout letport's at opposite points in each ,ot said compartments, means for closing sardports, meansffor moving said. carrier along said passage way for torcingastream otair through each compartment in turn from the inlet port of said compartment to theoutlet port thereof, and means for opening theports in each compartment in turn as the carrier enters the compartment and for again closing the portsas the carrier is Withdrawn from the conpartment; c

47. Drying apparatusv comprising a chamber made up of a series of separate compartments with a passage Way opening into the mveral compartments, a carrier movable along said passage way gan airchanging device mounted on said carrier,

inlet and outlet ports at opposite points in,

each of said compartments, means fo'rgclos ing said ports, means for moving said carrier along said passage Way for forcing astream I of air through each compartmentinturn part nent lto,

from the inlet port of said com 7 the outlet port thereon and'means actuate by the carrier in its movement alongjsaldr passage Way for holding the port of compartment open during the passage ot 1 the carrier therethrough. I

48. Drying apparatus comprising a chamber made up or a series of separatecompart ments with a passage Wayopening'intot several compartments, a track along passage Way a Wheeled truck inoyable along said track, an air changing devicemounted. on said truck, and means for moving saitruck back and forth along said'traclr -for carrying the air changing device succes slvely into position opposite the several compartments. I I 49. Drying apparatus comprising chamber made up ofa series-of separate compartments with. a passageway opening-I into the several compartments, atracl; along said passage ay,a rack extendingv a-long said traclna Wheeled truck; movable along said track; a gear mounted on .said truck adapted by engagement Witlr'the [rack to move the truck along the track and air? changing device -mounted on. said truck adapted tobe carried successively into the.

several compartments for forcing a stream of air successively through said compart- Eli-Hits. q

50. The method of changing air in a space Which consists in introducing air into"- a space at a givenpoint, removing thesame at anopposite point, and moving the point of introduction of air and simultaneously the polnt of discharge so as to affect. all parts of the space.

51. The method of changing; air in aspect which consists in introducing a stream "of; alr into the same and discharging the same at a point opposite and moving said stream of air uniformly parallel to itself and correspondingly changing the point of discharge so as to affect all parts of said space.

52. The method of dryingwhich consists in passing a stream or" air of limited dimensions compared to the drying space over the articles in a certain portion of said space;

rotecting portions of the s ace from the stream delivered to other portions, and movlng said stream about said space so as to equally treat the articles n all portions of said space. I

53. The method of drying articles tohe driedg 'cl'es are dried H .56..The methodot treating articles 'in'af." I chamber which consists in drawing air into said chamber, heating the same and directing 57. The method of drying ELIiSlQlGS in -a' 'chamberwhichcons sts in drawing air lnto s gerly'drieda, y

which consists in intermittently at reg in predetermined intervals directing 54.. The method of-Idryingwhich consists rticles. v

55. The; method and" repeating the operation until; the artiof dryingfwhich; consists infdirecting,a stream otai'r over the articles 7 tobezdried, alternately protecting the'parti-j;

cles from; movingLairio'r permitting the moistur'ef on the interior-[of said articlesto .trzwel, to the exposed surfaces, 1 and again *Clirecting afi stream of air over said articles a stream of .airyover the';

inp'eriodically directing a-stream of air over i e Y the articles togybe, dried, and alternatelymaintaining the bodyot air atrest about the a stream of heated air for a, limited time;

foyer-the articles in one .portion of said-space; and. permitting'said air then to escape-"f said chamber, then causingthe stream of air toact on articles iii-another portion of said 1 chamber and thereafter repeati th properly .ejrati on until allot the articles are said chamber; 'heating'jth'e same anddirect- Oper i dried. I v

v58; The-method until-all chamberso that a; stream ofalir may be air into said. chamber; from oneside orwall andrpermitting theair topas'sout of the chamber after it has. traversedthe articles in said portion ofthe chamber. then simi-' larly treating the articles in another portion of said chamber and repeating theoperapassed freely between the artic1es-,-.draWing 1100 I I and directing; a stream 'ofsuch air between i said articles in one-portion o tthe chamber tion by intermittently 'f.passin'g the air *oyeri; I

the; articles until the same haye heen 

